ADDITIONAL NOTES < Beijing, Guilin, Xian, Shanghai 11 Days > (Tour Code: PCF)

1 This tour visit cities including Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, and Shanghai, located in the east, west, south and north regions of mainland . The climate across the regions vary greatly, especially in the period when seasons change. Summer is generally hot. Travelers are advised to pack clothes according to the season and better in comfortable layers.

2 Beijing: Spring and autumn are dry. You are strongly advised to drink plenty of water and have enough fruits every day.

3 Xian: Dress smart on the day visiting Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xian. A pair of good walking shoes is essential, as the distance from the parking lot to the museum entrance is about 15 minutes walking or so.

4 Guilin: Hotels we use in Guilin and Yangshuao are all 5-star. However, we would like you understand that the standard of 5-star hotels in these areas are generally inferior to those in big cities like Beijing, Xian and Shanghai in China.

5 The Li River boat cruise is a must for all those who visit Guilin. To assure the cruise quality, the lunch included on board are supplied centrally by local government. Drinks, beer and other refreshments are available on the boat, all in reasonable quality. The restrooms are basic, but clean. We strongly suggest that you bring your own sanitizer and tissue. Cruise time may vary from 4 to 5 hours, depending on the level and condition of water in the river. Our sightseeing in Yangshuo will be relatively adjusted if the cruise time runs longer.

6 The “Yingxiang Liusanjie” stage show is actually performed outdoor on Li River. In poor weather condition, it could be cancelled. Your understanding and consideration will be very much appreciated on this situation.

7 The rainfall in Guilin area is abundant. Mosquitoes are active especially in humid and hot summer. It is recommended that you bring insect repellent with you when visiting Guilin and Yangshuo.

www.PeonyTours.com 1/30/2020

Fujian Travel Tips (Tour Code: PCJ)

1. Weather: is a province located in southeast coast in China, has a sub-tropical monsoon climate, with mild winters. The average temperature for a year in Fujian is 18°C (64°F). Summer is hot and winter is cold. Summer and autumn is the typhoon season, which usually brings abundant rain. Visitors are suggested to pay attention to the weather forecast before trip. 2. Fujian Food & Drink: Fujian cuisine (Min cuisine) is one of the eight major cuisines in China, known to be light but flavorful, and tender. Fujian food has much in comment with those in its nearby areas, such as Taiwan and Guangdong. Fujian snacks are also very popular nationwide, a. Drink only bottled water and boiled tea. Don’t drink tap water or directly from river or streams. Bottled water can be purchased at most restaurants and stores. Eat sufficient fruits as they are generally safe. b. Fujian local snacks and street food are delicious, and everywhere. When choosing places to dine in or to get your food from, beware of its sanitation and environment. c. Be careful for every meal. Wherever you go for a meal, health, sanitation and safety are necessities that you should pay much attention to. Avoid unhealthy street foods. Eat only completely cooked food. 3. Language: Fujian is one of the most linguistically diverse places of all the Han Chinese areas of China. The main dialect spoken in , , and is Min Nan. 4. Xiamen: a. In Xiamen, January is the coldest month of the year, with temperature in between 9°C - 11°C. Warm jackets are needed. July, the hottest month, with temperature in between 31°C - 33°C. Rainy season comes from May to June, and the typhoon season lasts from July to September. While during these two periods, it’s necessary for tourists to bring umbrellas or raincoats. Contributed to the excellent climate and conditions, Xiamen is known as a fruit land. Tangerines, , lichees, bananas, loquats, and pineapples are abundant. b. Xiamen cuisine is the main part of Fujian cuisine which is famous throughout China. Being fresh, light, crispy and slightly spicy in taste, Xiamen cuisine is characterized by seafood, herbal meal, and vegetable dishes. Here you can experience various kinds of seafood including mussels, sea cucumbers, and sea vegetables. c. Transportation: As one of the major cities and hot tourist destination in Fujian, Xiamen enjoys convenient transportation. You can travel to or within the city by air, by train, by coach or by sea conveniently. 5. Gulangyu: Gulangyu is a picturesque car-free island about 600 meters off the coast of Xiamen City, which is quite small and is across a 5-minute ferry ride from Xiamen’s wharf. The island is renowned for its beaches, winding lanes, and architectures. Though cars and motor bikes are not allowed on the island, there are electric golf carts carrying visitors in a circuit around the island’s coast line for a fee. 6. Fujian (Earth Building): Tulou, the earth building, is the most extraordinary type of the Hakka’s rural dwellings in mountainous areas of Fujian. A scenic drive will take you into the mountains to reach Dadi Tulou Cluster which is located in Huaan County, 147 km away from Xiamen. Tourists should always respect the customs and traditions of locals. 7. Wuyi Mountain: a. You can hike anywhere in the park, but do not hike outside the paths as the area has many snakes and cliffs. Follow your tour guide and not take the off-beaten track in mountain areas. Weather conditions can change dramatically. Prepare the right clothing and shoes before hiking. Comfortable walking shoes are the best, no high-heeled shoes! Be cautious when hiking during and after rain as the path can get very slippery. b. It can rain any time in the mountains. Don’t use the umbrella when it rains. Raincoat is much better as it can avoid the lightening and prevent the strong wind blow away the umbrella. c. For your own safety, watch your steps at all times. Stop walking if you want to enjoy the scenery! d. Smoking is forbidden in the wooded area. Don’t go to the dangerous mountain areas which are not open to the public. e. Jiuqu Stream (Nine-Bend Stream) is the most stunning part of Wuyi Mountain. Aside from just looking at it in the distance, visitors can spend some time bamboo rafting through the stream. Hop on a bamboo raft and let the boat takes you on a little journey down the stream. Be sure to wear the life-jacket and listen to the boatmen. Take off your shoes if you don’t like getting them wet. Keep a constant eye on children when rafting. The raft is mostly unshltered so a hat and sunscreen are strongly advised. f. Private vehicles are not allowed inside the park. Each scenic area is connected by public shuttle buses. Passengers are advised to keep valuables and camera tight throughout. g. Stay safe: Safety is important when hiking in mountain areas. Bring along creams for blisters, After Bite, insect repellent, sunscreen, and any other personal medications. www.PeonyTours.com 1/30/2020